The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition

Grasp the important ideas that have served as the backbone of philosophy across the ages with this extraordinary 60-lecture series. This is your opportunity to explore the enormous range of philosophical perspectives and ponder the most important and enduring of human questions-without spending your life poring over dense philosophical texts.

Why You Are Who You Are: Investigations into Human Personality

To understand the roots of personality is to understand motivations and influences that shape behavior, which in turn reflect how you deal with the opportunities and challenges of everyday life. That's the focus of these exciting 24 lectures, in which you examine the differences in people's personalities, where these differences come from, and how they shape our lives. Drawing on information gleaned from psychology, neuroscience, and genetics, Professor Leary opens the door to understanding how personality works and why.

No Excuses: Existentialism and the Meaning of Life

What is life? What is my place in it? What choices do these questions obligate me to make? More than a half-century after it burst upon the intellectual scene - with roots that extend to the mid-19th century - Existentialism's quest to answer these most fundamental questions of individual responsibility, morality, and personal freedom, life has continued to exert a profound attraction.

The Passions: Philosophy and the Intelligence of Emotions

Conventional wisdom suggests there is a sharp distinction between emotion and reason. Emotions are seen as inferior, disruptive, primitive, and even bestial forces. These 24 remarkable lectures suggest otherwise-that emotions have intelligence and provide personal strategies that are vitally important to our everyday lives of perceiving, evaluating, appraising, understanding, and acting in the world.

Food: A Cultural Culinary History

Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man."

The Foundations of Western Civilization

What is Western Civilization? According to Professor Noble, it is "much more than human and political geography," encompassing myriad forms of political and institutional structures - from monarchies to participatory republics - and its own traditions of political discourse. It involves choices about who gets to participate in any given society and the ways in which societies have resolved the tension between individual self-interest and the common good.

Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills

No skill is more important in today's world than being able to think about, understand, and act on information in an effective and responsible way. What's more, at no point in human history have we had access to so much information, with such relative ease, as we do in the 21st century. But because misinformation out there has increased as well, critical thinking is more important than ever. These 24 rewarding lectures equip you with the knowledge and techniques you need to become a savvier, sharper critical thinker in your professional and personal life.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Whether complete or only fragmentary, the 930 extant Dead Sea Scrolls irrevocably altered how we look at and understand the foundations of faith and religious practice. Now you can get a comprehensive introduction to this unique series of archaeological documents, and to scholars' evolving understanding of their authorship and significance, with these 24 lectures. Learn what the scrolls are, what they contain, and how the insights they offered into religious and ancient history came into focus.

Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior

Every day of your life is spent surrounded by mysteries that involve what appear to be rather ordinary human behaviors. What makes you happy? Where did your personality come from? Why do you have trouble controlling certain behaviors? Why do you behave differently as an adult than you did as an adolescent?Since the start of recorded history, and probably even before, people have been interested in answering questions about why we behave the way we do.

The Story of Human Language

Language defines us as a species, placing humans head and shoulders above even the most proficient animal communicators. But it also beguiles us with its endless mysteries, allowing us to ponder why different languages emerged, why there isn't simply a single language, how languages change over time and whether that's good or bad, and how languages die out and become extinct.

Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making

Economic forces are everywhere around you. But that doesn't mean you need to passively accept whatever outcome those forces might press upon you. Instead, with these 12 fast-moving and crystal clear lectures, you can learn how to use a small handful of basic nuts-and-bolts principles to turn those same forces to your own advantage.

The Iliad of Homer

For thousands of years, Homer's ancient epic poem the
Iliad has enchanted readers from around the world. When you join Professor Vandiver for this lecture series on the Iliad, you'll come to understand what has enthralled and gripped so many people.Her compelling 12-lecture look at this literary masterpiece -whether it's the work of many authors or the "vision" of a single blind poet - makes it vividly clear why, after almost 3,000 years, the
Iliad remains not only among the greatest adventure stories ever told but also one of the most compelling meditations on the human condition ever written.

Publisher's Summary

It's a question every thoughtful person has pondered at one time or another. Indeed, it may be the biggest question of all - at once profound and universal, but also deeply personal.

We want to understand the world in which we live, but we also want to understand how to make our own lives as meaningful as possible; to know not only why we're living, but that we're doing it with intention, purpose, and ethical commitment. But how, exactly, do we find that meaning, and develop that commitment? How can we grasp why we are here? Or how we should proceed? And to whom, exactly, we should listen as we shape the path we will walk? This comprehensive 36-lecture series from a much-honored scholar is an invigorating way to begin or continue your pursuit of these questions, and it requires no previous background in philosophical or religious thought.

It offers a rigorous and wide-ranging exploration of what various spiritual, religious, and philosophical traditions from both the East and West have contributed to this profound line of questioning, sharing insights from sources that include ancient Indian texts, such as:

The Bhagavad-Gita

Foundational Chinese texts like the Daodejing and the Chuang Tzu

Classical Western texts, such as Aristotle's Nichomachean Ethics and Marcus Aurelius's Meditations

Modern philosophers and writers like David Hume, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Leo Tolstoy

The unique perspectives offered by Native Americans, in this case, the Lakota Sioux medicine man and writer, John Lame Deer

Plus more recent and contemporary philosophers, such as Mohandas Gandhi and the Dalai Lama.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

Where does The Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World's Great Intellectual Traditions rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

My favourite audio book so far.

What did you like best about this story?

The variety of teachers and perspectives offer both great and subtle insights into the meaning of existence and our place in the puzzle.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The early chapters and the last two were the most enlightening.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but it made see where I have/had holes in whole.

Any additional comments?

This book won't give you the answer to the meaning of life straight away, but it will offer you a way to see where you need to lay down your baggage and pick up new ways of thinking. It's well presented and easy to listen to. I really enjoy this work, and I never tire of listening to it.

I enjoyed this course so much. Jay Garfield communicates his excitement for the subject with carefully drawn portraits of thought around life's meaning from different thinkers. I was reintroduced to familiar texts with a fresh approach, and I learned some fascinating aspects of other world figures that leaves me both wanting to know more and inspired to personal change. So pleased I listened to this course. 😀

This lecture series discusses The Bhagavad Gita, Aristotle, The Book of Job, Stoicism (including Epictetus, Seneca, Lucretius, and Marcus Aurelius), Confucius, The Dao De Jing (including Zhuangzi), Buddhist teachings (including Santideva and Zen), Hume, Kant, Mill, Tolstoy, Nietzsche, Gandhi, Lame Deer, and the Dalai Lama. He concentrates on bringing out what each subject has to say particularly on the meaning of life, and he always reminds the listener of themes that we have heard in previous lectures and how they compare to the current lecture. He took every perspective seriously, and during each lecture I felt he was making a great case for each viewpoint. He respects Nietzsche and Gandhi equally. He is calm yet engaging speaker. One revelation I had was the difference in how the ancient world generally understands the meaning of life as opposed to the modern world. I got a lot out of listening, and may listen again after a few months. If I were to guess, I would guess he gives slightly more time to compassion/nature of self, but he gives almost equal time to other topics such as the aesthetic/creative and knowledge/progress ideas of the good life.

36 of 37 people found this review helpful

Jason

USA

18/08/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"So far this is my favorite Audible purchase"

What about Professor Jay L. Garfield’s performance did you like?

He is excellent. His voice does reminded me a little bit of a nerdy professor at first, but his enthusiasm and passion for the the subject matter has blown me away. I think he's my favorite narrator that I've come accross to date. I just wish I would have stumbled across him before moving, as I lived not too far from where he teaches.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. There is a lot of material covered in each lecture. I can't do too many at once, as each topic needs a little time for reflection. ...although on occasion I do want to push myself and see how many I can do back to back.

Any additional comments?

Jay Garfield makes an excellent performance in these lectures. He is fascinated by the material he is covering, and seems to love each topic he covers. Each lecture is between 30 and 45 minutes, which is just about perfect. So far, he has kept my interest for every lecture. I admit, I'm only 15 hours in, but I had to come online and see if he narrates anything else.... unfortunately, it doesn't look like he does at the moment.

Each lecture gives a brief overview of the various world religeons and major philosophies. The purpose isn't to tell you what the meaning of life is, but rather to discuss some of the major world ideas about the meaning of life - not just in respect to religion, but also from a philisophic viewpoint as well.

Overall, I'm thrilled with this purchase, which is why I wrote this review. A+ on all counts.

21 of 24 people found this review helpful

John Campbell

Winnipeg, Canada

24/11/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"The Biggest Question in Life Explored Brilliantly"

Jay L. Garfield is a wise and thoughtful guide to the philosophical exploration of the greatest question in life. Just what is the meaning of life?

He discusses the meaning of the question in the first place and then goes on to discuss a broad range of philosophers and traditions as he helps us understand the different approaches. I was impressed with the course right from the beginning and that positive impression only grew as I listened to the entire course.

Jay Garfield is passionate, humble, and respectful in his teaching. He covers a broad range of thinkers and links them nicely. He paints a broad landscape of the majesty of philosophy when it helps us explore the meaning of our individual and social human experience.

The course was not short and it covered a lot of material, but the pace was excellent. I learned a great deal, but would be happy to hear a lot more of Jay Garfield. A great Audible program for anyone interested in the big picture of human life - highly recommended. Jay Garfield is a brilliant teacher who shares his passion as much as his knowledge.

This would be a great course for anyone wanting to dip their toe into philosophy. I expect that it would encourage many to plunge in after that first dip.

14 of 16 people found this review helpful

Davide

Loganville, GA, USA

17/07/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Really awesome"

Disclaimer: I'm not a professional reviewer, and this is my first review.

I must admit I listened only to the first 4 lectures of this course, and I felt the need to write a review. I was really pleasantly surprised by the level of scholarship and professionalism professor Garfield displays. I knew and was familiar with many concepts Professor Garfield explains, but the way he explains them, the repetition he makes, and the explanation of the etymology of single words makes this course a must have.I'm also going slow into listening the material, because Professor Garfield emphasizes some concepts, and convey some ideas which are really rich, and most of all spiritual.Some of these ideas In order to be "digested" need quite some time, and many ideas leave me totally absorbed by the implications. And of course the comparison with ideas/concepts from western theology.So one of the goals of this review is to thank Professor Garfield for explaining the material so well, and of course for being so thorough.

I'm truly happy that Audible and the Great Courses started this partnership. Because it was something missing, and now I can enjoy all these great professors, and their knowledge.

23 of 28 people found this review helpful

Jeanette

Florida

27/11/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Wow"

What a (mostly) comprehensive examination of many of the great thinkers and traditions of faith and philosophy, explained in an engaging way that makes complex ideas clear without underestimating his listeners. I truly enjoyed and learned from this, and would love to have given this 5 stars across the board, but for two items. First, this exploration is really more accurately an exploration of "How to live a meaningful life", not "What is the meaning of life" - those two concepts intertwine but are not identical, and most of this series explores the former more than the latter. And second, I am surprised that he included no Christian thinker or philosophy. He looks at Job from the Old Testament, but to leave out Jesus (and the radical philosophy he brought to the time), seems to be a significant omission. I would have liked to hear Garfield speak on that, and to set that thought tradition alongside that of Buddha, the Bhagavad-Gita, Gandhi, Tolstoy, Kant, and others.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

satya

04/08/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"From Aristotle to Dalai lama. What an eye opener!"

This is my first foray into philosophy and what a foray it was!

This is such an eye opener of a course. Professor Garfield is equally passionate about the old and the new; the east and the west. Some sections like the Confucius and the Dao perspectives feel incomprehensible, but they reward you very well in the end, if you have the patience.

The best part of the book was the modern and the post modern philosophies. I really loved Tolstoy and Gandhi. I believe that's where my perspective lies.

For the past few years I was struggling with religion and its place in my life. I was debating whether I was an agnostic or an atheist. But now I know that I am neither and I am both. I might even be religious and may once in a while believe in god. After listening to this lecture I believe this dichotomy should persist in me and I will not allow myself to be boxed in to one perspective.

I am one and I am all.

6 of 8 people found this review helpful

Dave

Monrovia, CA, United States

14/12/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Really enjoyed it"

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was presented in a enthusiastic manner and well structured. This is my first philosophy audio course and it seemed like great place to start.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

The subject matter is the most compelling aspect.

What about Professor Jay L. Garfield’s performance did you like?

His ability to compare and contrast the various philosophies and present them relative to each other. Also, his ability to bring attention to the why certain ideas are important for each philosopher, and how those ideas fit into history.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Many of the lectures were moving (it is about the meaning of life afer all). The lecture on Tolstoy made me purchase and listen to the Death of Ivan Illyich, so I guess you could say that one had an impact on me.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

Navarre

Pacific Northwest

27/02/17

Overall

Performance

Story

"Eastern-centric"

I enjoyed this and learned a lot. Despite 3 stars I would buy it again, so yes I recommend it, with caveats. 1) It completely ignores how science might illuminate this question. 2) Heavily weighted towards Eastern thought, although nowhere in the course description is this mentioned. 3) Utterly ignores Christianity, a religion very much about the meaning of life and that is full of contributions from many of the greatest minds in Western Civilization. How can you possibly spend more time on the Lakota Sioux than Christianity? I thought the analysis of the Book of Job failed to go deep enough. Readily sings the praises of various Eastern religions, but fails to mention the terrible social impact of some, such as the caste system. Lots of time spent on the Doadejing, which may be near nonsensical to the modern Western mind. Civilization cuts us off from our purer self? Uh, maybe read Lord of the Flies first? The author is learned and seems like a good person. A more nuanced, critical reading of the Eastern religions would have been better.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

sigrun

Stavanger, Norway

10/09/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"First class philosophy"

Teaching philosophy is challenging, in the form of an audiobook even more so. For how can one make complicated reflections into simple sentences? I don't know! But I do know that this is what Garfield does in this audiobook. He makes deep thinking comprehensible, he makes philosophy matter!If you're looking for the meaning of life - well, go ahead, listen to this!

8 of 12 people found this review helpful

The Critic

Canuckistan

04/05/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"Superb"

I would highly recommend this audiobook. Very well researched and presented. Life changing really. Now I need to listen to it again!

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

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